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Employment Law

Paternity Leave Bill passed by the Dáil

The Dáil has passed the Paternity Leave and Benefit Bill. The Report and Final Stage amendments will result in the effective date for entitlements being changed from 30 September to 1 September 2016 meaning a greater number of individuals will be able to avail of the leave.

Other amendments to the Bill enable paternity leave and transferred paternity leave rights for male same-sex couples that adopt. There will also be a prohibition on a person from availing of both paternity leave and adoptive leave, which could arise in the case of a male same-sex couple.

When enacted the Bill will entitle relevant parents of children born or adopted on or after 1 September 2016 to two weeks’ paternity leave and state benefit which can be taken at any stage within a 26 week period after the birth or adoption of the child.